43 U.S.C. § 333 — Extension of time for completion of irrigation works

This section applies to a settler ("entryman") under sections 321 to 323, 325, and 327 to 329 of this title — laws about claiming land tied to irrigation. If that settler has followed the terms, requirements, and provisions of those sections in good faith, but can't yet prove they've reclaimed and cultivated the land as required, they may still get more time — as long as the delay is because of some unavoidable delay in the construction of the irrigating works meant to carry water to the land, through no fault of their own. To get the extra time, the settler must file a corroborated affidavit — a sworn statement backed up by another person — with the land office where the land is located. The affidavit must set out those facts, showing the delay wasn't the settler's fault. The Secretary of the Interior, or an officer the Secretary designates, then has discretion to allow up to three additional years for the settler to furnish the proof of reclamation and cultivation that the law requires.